Work Text:
Iwaizumi woke up to the blaring of “Perfect” by One Direction on his phone, a song loathed by Iwaizumi, yet loved by Oikawa. He muttered something under his breath before grumpily turning off his alarm that his boyfriend had set for every day at six-thirty am (‘You have to start your day right and the right way is waking up early, Iwa-chan!’) and walked over to his calendar and crossed out the previous day. He didn’t even need his ringer on anymore to know that Oikawa was calling.
“Goodmorning, Iwa-chan! And how are we this fine Monday morning?” His voice was always chipper as usual. Iwaizumi of all people would know that Oikawa was somehow impossibly awake in the early morning. He stretched and yawned.
“Hey there. Uh, it’s cloudy right now. What’s it like in Tokyo?”
“It’s raining here, but you know me, running in the rain is my favorite thing to do!” At this, Iwaizumi lifted an exasperated eyebrow. "Well, at least it’s up there.”
“If you slip and fall and fuck up your knee, I won’t be there to catch you,” Iwaizumi said bluntly. If he were talking to anyone else, they might have found it offensive or rude, but Oikawa knew that this was just his way of showing he cared deep down, subsequently making him smile at the speaker.
“I know, Iwa-chan. Which is why~I’m going with a running buddy!”
Iwaizumi snorted. “Do they know that you’re basically a robot that doesn’t get tired or pace himself?”
Oikawa scoffed. “Bokuto is worse than me because he won’t shut his trap for five minutes and run in peace.” Iwaizumi chuckled. Oikawa was hardly silent, but exercise was an exception because he took it so seriously.
“Be. Careful. I’m serious. We really can’t afford hospital bills on top of my plane ticket to Tokyo to verbally harass you after you get hurt.” The line was silent for a few seconds and Iwaizumi felt the cheeky smile creep on to Oikawa’s face.
“Gotta go Iwa-chan. I love you lots.”
“Love you too, bye.” Iwaizumi hung up the phone and sighed. The blissful silence only lasted a few seconds.
“When am I going to meet Romeo?” Asked Iwaizumi’s roommate, turning around in his bed to smirk at him. Iwaizumi contemplated jumping out of his skin.
“I don’t even remember the last time you slept in here. Sorry, dude.”
“I woke up to your fucking One Direction alarm that you insist on keeping because you’re whipped for your boyfriend.” He said, rolling his eyes. “Anyways, that’s not the question. When am I going to meet Romeo?” Iwaizumi narrowed his eyes.
“I don’t know, dude. Long distance fucking blows.”
“Ah I’m sorry.” His roommate said, raising his hands. “You guys still skipe every week though, don’t you?” Iwaizumi scoffed.
“Yeah, but you can’t properly look at someone via Skipe.”
“Well, you always seem to be in a better mood when I get back from work and you two have chatted, so you really must be over the moon when he’s with you in person,” Kuroo laughed.
“Shut up Kuroo, you don’t know how it feels to be in love,” Iwaizumi said defensively, which just made his roommate laugh harder. “I said shut up!”
“Love you, Iwa-chan.” Kuroo said in a shockingly accurate impression of Oikawa. Iwaizumi blinked before shaking his head.
“You asshole. Go to class.”
...
“Iwa-chan,” Oikawa said from deep in the depths of his closet. “Which one should I wear, the red one or the grey one?” Iwaizumi groaned from the other line.
“I already said red. Just show me!” They were on their weekly skipe call, and Oikawa was picking out a shirt for some random volleyball event. They all blurred for Iwaizumi at some point.
“Fine, but this shade isn’t good for my skin tone or eye color-”
“Tooru, you’re pretty in a paper bag,” Iwaizumi said, rolling his eyes. Oikawa wormed his way out of the closet, in a blue shirt.
“Really?” He asked, smiling genuinely and inspecting himself in the camera.
“Yes, really, you attention sponge-Spongeykawa.”
“I miss you.” Oikawa said, sitting down at his desk where the computer was.
“I miss you too.” Iwaizumi said. “Two more years seems like forever. When is summer break again?”
“A few months,” Oikawa said sadly. There was silence on both lines for a minute.
“Tell me about volleyball,” Iwaizumi said for the third time in three days.
“Well, I really wanted to practice extra yesterday-don’t look at me like that, Iwa-chan. Prelims are coming up! But our team captain told me not to, which pisses me off. I’m not some prodigy, you know? I have to practice. I’m going to nationals if it’s the last thing I do,” he said, scowling.
“Tooru, you know the only reason he told you to stop is because they need their star setter with them at nationals,” Iwaizumi returned smoothly.
“Yeah yeah, anyways. Tell me about your songwriting. Anything to woo me yet?”
“If I didn’t already have you properly wooed, I’d be writing it all, but for the time being, not really. Just focused on school.” Oikawa decided to ignore Iwaizumi’s horrible attempt at being romantic for his own good.
“I’ll deck you if I can’t go to your first gig.” Oikawa pointed out, inspecting his nails. Iwaizumi opened his mouth to reply but stifled a laugh instead as Oikawa’s roommate burst through the door and Oikawa nearly jumped high enough to block a volleyball.
“Oikawa-san, how bad is it to skip class to hook up in the middle of the day? I already know what I’m doing in journalism…” Iwaizumi covered his mouth from the other line, since his roommate obviously hadn’t learned of his existence yet. Oikawa spluttered.
“Keiji! You’re a freshman! How are you getting more than me?!”
“Because I’m not a prude, and don’t talk, you’re just a sophomore.” His roommate answered simply before attempting to sit down. “Ow.”
“He’s not a prude, he’s just with me,” Iwaizumi offered, trying to help Oikawa’s case. His roommate slowly looked at the screen and paled.
“Ah fuck. I’m just gonna...leave you guys alone.” The door slammed behind Oikawa, who smiled and shook his head.
“That’s Akaashi Keiji for you. I think he embarrasses himself a minimum of three times a day,” Oikawa said thoughtfully.
“Maybe he just peaked in high school,” Iwaizumi supplied, still trying not to laugh.
“No, not really. He’s actually a really good writer, despite getting railed by Bokuto every other day-”
“Is that jealousy I’m hearing?” Iwaizumi joked. Oikawa narrowed his eyes and smirked.
“I would never want to be railed by Bokuto. Say, what time is it? Don’t you have work?” Iwaizumi’s eyes widened as they flew to his watch.
“Shit, you’re right. I gotta go Tooru-”
“Bye, Iwa-chan!”
Iwaizumi raced to find his shirt for “Miyagi Music Store,” all the while cursing under his breath. He had long missed his bus to show up on time for his job, a boring night shift at a music store. There was no way he could leg it and be on time, and he couldn’t afford a car just yet. Cringing, he called his last hope.
“Kuroo, I-”
“Keys are on the microwave, and the car’s by that wack ass McDonalds. If you crash my baby, your ass is grass.”
“Fairthanksbye,” He huffed before hanging up and sprinting to Kuroo’s car.
When he made it to the store, he clocked in and sat down behind the counter next to his unamused coworker Yaku.
“It just keeps getting closer and closer until one day you’ll finally be late,” he said, drumming his fingernails on the counter.
“Well today’s skipe call was just wonderful because his roommate who just hooked up with someone walked right in,” he explained, shivering.
“TMI dude.”
After a while, they began assisting the few customers that did come in and wiping down the instruments after they had left.
“Why don’t people wash their damn hands?” Yaku asked, eyeing a fingerprint on a flute furiously. “It’d save us a ton of work.”
“Why don’t people just leave the instruments alone in general,” agreed Iwaizumi. “It’s not like these are even close to being tuned.” Yaku smacked his head.
“You can’t tune a flute, genius.”
Iwaizumi raised his hands in defeat. “I play guitar, I don’t know jack shit about flutes.”
“Hm. I thought you’d be a bit smarter considering you’re a Japanese major.”
“Wait,” Iwaizumi said, pulling out his phone quickly to google it. “You can tune a flute, jackass.”
“Goddammit Iwaizumi,” Yaku swore before turning back to wiping down said flute. “Why aren’t you a music major again?”
Iwaizumi shrugged. “I’ve always been bad at wording things, like for my songs, so I figure Japanese is a good way to go. Plus it’s just a bunch of papers.”
“Sing one of your songs,” Yaku said blandly. “Don’t you want to hear it in person?”
“My only serious song is still in the making,” he said sheepishly, and Yaku rolled his eyes.
“What a lovely portfolio. Just pick a random topic and unload all your fucking baggage on it, it’s not that hard. Watch me.” Yaku went over to a random violin, and started playing the tune to, ‘Come Get Her.’
“Give me a topic.”
“Uh, taboo.” Yaku narrowed his eyes, but continued playing nonetheless.
“Somebody come get herrrr she uses pads as stickers, somebody come get herrrrr I matched my dad on tinder, somebody come get herrr, Trump got banned from Twitt-”
“Oh my god!” Iwaizumi groaned, putting his hands over his face.
“You said taboo! Next topic!”
“Okay. Um. Volleyball.”
“Somebody come get herrr, her team is one for winners, somebody come get herrr her serve is a top spinner, somebody come get herrr she is an outside hitter.” He finished, putting the violin down, satisfied.
“That easy. Your turn.”
“Um, well,” Iwaizumi picked up his guitar and stummed sheepishly. “My boyfriend and I go to different colleges and I’m just trying to be there for him like he always is for me but it’s hard when I’ve gotten used to seeing him every day and I really shouldn’t still be used to that since it’s been two years but it’s not the same and I’m balancing work and school and trying to reason with my parents because they still think I’m ‘experimenting’ and on top of that I chose such a risky career on top of Tooru’s volleyball that we could either flourish from it or literally end up homeless and right now I’m just trying to tell myself it’ll all be okay-”
“Iwaizumi, shut up, you’re going to make yourself sick.” Yaku said, cutting him off. “What’re you, reading about long distance relationships on Ao3 every night?”
“My roommate does that.” Iwaizumi said bluntly. “I’m not ever borrowing his computer again after ‘Harry Styles x Male!Reader fluff’ popped up on the browser.”
“Wow.” Yaku said, blinking. “That’s ego decimating. Anyways, I think you should write something happy because you need self-reassurance. You know, you don’t have to be so stressed all the goddamn time. Get some serotonin dude.”
“So what am I supposed to say, ‘it’ll be okay?’”
“Bitch. Yes. You both are very talented and sickeningly in love with each other. When do you see him next?”
“Well…” Iwaizumi started. “I’m going to surprise him this weekend because he’s participating in the prelims for volleyball to make nationals-”
“Oh! I played in highschool. Nationals are amazing!” Yaku said, grinning. “I was a libero.”
“In my last year of highschool I was the ace and Oikawa’s vice captain. We never went so I want to see his face when he does make it.”
Yaku hummed. “That’s so wholesome. You just believe he’s going to make it?”
“Mhm. Oh hello, welcome to Miyagi Music Store how may I help-”
“LEV, IT’S ABOUT DAMN TIME! WHERE’S MY FOOD?” Yaku seethed at the lanky silver haired freshman who anxiously walked into the store.
“Right here!” He squeaked before handing him the brown bag. Appeased, Yaku sat back down. “You can go now.”
“Okay, bye! See you later!” Lev said before leaving as quickly as he came. Iwaizumi covered his mouth with his hand to keep from laughing.
“Why can’t you just get your own shit, Yaku-”
“Oh no, that’s my new dunderhead of a boyfriend,” he said proudly, “He just graduated from high school.”
“Oh,” Iwaizumi said dumbly. He figured Yaku wouldn’t exactly be the lovey-dovey type.
“I know what you’re thinking, but he’s kind of dumb, so I have to make sure he stays in line,” Yaku said, trying to justify his treatment of Lev.
“Uh, well,” Iwaizumi tried, failing to keep in his laughter. "I'm so sorry."
“I made him leave because he also takes Russian at night, dimwit.” Yaku exclaimed, grinning and shaking his head. “I’m not that much of a jerk. Anyway, back to what I was saying. You should have the song ready for this weekend!” Iwaizumi blinked. “You know, so when he wins you’ll just make his day even better?”
“Um, Saturday is five days away.”
“I can do basic math, sport.”
“Do you know how little time that is-” Yaku huffed, cutting Iwaizumi off.
“Iwaizumi, if you really want a career in this, you’re gonna have to start being productive. I know you’re working hard to support your mans and stay in college or whatever, but if you just sit and worry about failing, that’s a really good sign that you’re gonna fail.” Yaku finally snapped. “I’ve said my piece, now you do the rest.” Iwaizumi was still looking at him in mild shock a few minutes later, staying silent as he gently wiped down the grubby instrument.
“Look dude,” Yaku said after a while. “I’m sorry if I overstepped-”
“No.” Iwaizumi said. “You’re right. I have to actually make it happen. I can do it. I’ll sing it to him after he humiliates every single unlucky soul in that goddamn arena until they’re eating air salonpas!” Yaku’s eyebrows shot through the roof.
“Woah there, Japanese major. Quit nerdin out.”
“Sorry.”
“...”
“I don’t usually-”
“I know. I know. Now get the fuck to work. I’m gonna need to hear a full report on how it went down when you get back next Monday.” Iwaizumi raised his hand in mock salute as he went to find a notebook.
...
“Dude,” Kuroo groaned from the other side of the room. “It’s three in the morning. I know you’re a songwriter and shit, but if I hear that tune again, I’m throwing you out the window.”
Iwaizumi looked up from his computer, dazed. “Jeez, I have it on the lowest volume. I’ll put my headphones in.” He had downloaded a piano app on his computer, and was figuring out how to use it. He had been up for hours coming up with the background of his song, inevitably keeping Kuroo up. When his alarm went off, he rolled his eyes, shut it off, and went to check off another day on his calendar.
...
“Morning, Iwa-chan!”
“Hey there, Tooru,” He said tiredly, rubbing his eyes at the rising sun infiltrating through the window. “How did you sleep?”
“I slept well! What about you? You sound like you’ve been up all night doing something.” There was silence for less than a second. “Iwa-chan! Sleep is important! Now you have to go to bed early,” Oikawa admonished.
“Who says I was up all night?”
“You always ask me how I slept if you haven’t. Also, you sound friggin tired.” Oikawa said from the other line. Iwaizumi would have spluttered if he wasn’t sleep deprived.
“Well, unlike you, I don’t rise and shine. I caffeinate and hope for the best.”
"Someone's been on tumbler," Kuroo mumbled from his pillow.
"Shut up."
“I’m venmoing you to buy some real food because something tells me that you’ve just been living off ‘Cup-of-noodles.” Iwaizumi stared at the empty container next to the coffee maker.
“I can’t ever lie to you. Don’t venmo me, you need volleyball shit and you know we’re already tight on money. Food is food.”
“...I feel bad, but if that’s what you want.”
“Hey.”
“Hey.”
“I love you, okay? Take care of yourself for me.”
“You do the same. I love you, bye Iwa-chan!” Oikawa hung up with a click and Iwaizumi groaned, throwing out the empty foam cup and going to make coffee for himself.
“I have an essay due.”
...
“Yaku, I’m the least romantic person. What am I supposed to base my song off?” Iwaizumi muttered, scribbling in his notebook. Yaku shrugged from across the room.
“Do you have a special thing that you two do or say?” Iwaizumi scoffed. “Volleyball. But that’s not really the most romantic thing.”
“It doesn’t have to be romantic to be meaningful.” Yaku said without thinking.
“Wow, Yaku. That was deep.”
“Shut up, I’m helping you. Anything you two have a trend in saying?”
“I call him vulgar nicknames and he whines about me being mean,” Iwaizumi said, cringing at how that was worded out loud “...affectionately?”
“That’s not great song material either. Just...pay attention to how you two word things around each other, how you act, your body language. How does your boyfriend act?”
“Well… he’s not the most genuine person around others, because he always feels the need to wear a face-splitting smile and a peace sign,” he started. “But when the doors are closed, his actual smile, it like, shines, and it’s the prettiest thing.” He sighed and wrote down the words ‘shiny’ and ‘pretty.’ “If either of us tried to lie to each other, it wouldn’t work out because we are totally transparent with each other, and we’ve been joined at the hip for so long.” He continued muttering and writing things down when Yaku laughed dryly.
“I wish Lev was that smitten with me. You guys are like a married couple stuck in the honeymoon phase- oh quit blushing, loverboy, you look like a pokemon.” Iwaizumi rolled his eyes. “Friends… make… fun… of… us.... because… they… are… jealous-hey! Uh, ow.”
...
By the time Wednesday rolled around, he had a whole ton of ideas, but kept Yaku’s words in mind. Pay attention to him, and how we live.
“It’s hump day, Iwa-chan! I really hope you’re doing better today. I overslept this morning and missed your call, and then you must’ve been in class so you missed mine, so just text me when you can talk, okay? Love ya.” Iwaizumi saved the voicemail to his phone and lifted an eyebrow. After attempting to call him back three times, he figured that Oikawa was A) practicing or B) at work at Starbucks. He put in the work number.
“Hi, thank you for calling Starbucks! This is Oikawa speaking, what can I get for you?” Iwaizumi cracked a grin at Kuroo and motioned him over.
Both being clever enough to know what was going on, Kuroo started speaking. “You don’t have to get me anything, you’re already a snack.” An unintelligible noise was made from the other line, and Iwaizumi ran to his pillow, which he proceeded to stuff into his face to keep from laughing.
“Sorry, I have a boyfriend.” Oikawa said, clearly disgusted.
“Well I don’t hear him,” Kuroo said, taking the phone and covering his mouth.
“Well, coming from someone that’s hitting on a person they’ve never seen before, that doesn’t phase me. I’m going to check your number and report-IWA-CHAN, IS THAT YOU?”
Kuroo lost it and began hyena-cackling while Iwaizumi chuckled into the phone. “Hey there, Coffeekawa.”
“MEAN!!! Oh sorry Suga-san, don’t worry, that’s my boyfriend. I was just telling him to call me later, dork.” With that, he hung up the phone and Iwaizumi grinned and went about with his songwriting.
“Why do you always say, ‘Hey there?’ when you’re talking to Oikawa?” Kuroo asked randomly, in the middle of his own essay for his chemistry class.
Iwaizumi shrugged. “No reason.”
“You only do it with him bro, maybe that could go in your-”
“Song? Maybe,” He muttered, scribbling ‘hey there’ down. “I don’t really do it consciously. I didn’t even realize I was until you brought it up.”
“When are you going to add the lyrics?” Kuroo asked.
Iwaizumi’s head snapped up. “I have three days, so before then.” Kuroo nodded reverently.
“He’s gonna love that.”
“I really friggin hope so.”
...
“Goodmorning, Iwa-chan!”
“Hey...There…” Iwaizumi said, now aware of his greeting to Oikawa.
“Did you eat another bug or something?”
“No, Shittykawa. I’m just having some writers block,” Iwaizumi said before adding, “For school.”
“Oh. Well. Uh, write about me!” Oikawa said confidently from the other line. Iwaizumi’s eyes narrowed.
“No shit.”
“What?” Iwaizumi’s eyes widened. Oh crap.
“I always write about you.” Oikawa laughed on the other line, and Iwaizumi covered the speaker and sighed in relief.
“You’re sweet.”
“Shut up, Tooru.”
It was Thursday, and Iwaizumi was just beginning to put the song together. His goal was to have it by Friday, which Kuroo gaped at and Yaku applauded (in his own way) so he could drive to Tokyo that night and be there Saturday.
...
“Hey there...hMmMmMMMmm” Iwaizumi screeched out of frustration, thinking no one was in the dorm.
“Dude, oh my god! I thought you fucking vomited or something!” Mumbled a voice sounding remarkably like Kuroo’s. Iwaizumi’s mouth opened and closed as he shut his computer and looked under his roommates bed, where his suspicions were confirmed.
“Kuroo Tetsurou. What the actual fuck are you doing hiding in your own dorm?”
“Two words. Kozume Kenma.” There was a harsh knock at the door. Kuroo put a frantic finger to his lips as Iwaizumi answered it.
“Oh hi. Are you Kuroo’s roommate?”
“Yeah,” Iwaizumi said. “Who might you be?”
“I’m Kozume, his boyfriend,” He said casually. “Have you seen him around?”
“Oh-uh-I think I just saw him heading down main street,” Iwaizumi said, not making eye contact.
Kenma nodded and smiled. “Let me search your dorm.” Iwaizumi sweatdropped, now a little worried for Kuroo.
“Uh, I’ll pass on that one-”
“Let. Me. Search. Your. Dorm.”
“No!”
“Don't hide him, he's an asshole. Do you really want to be friends with an asshole?”
“Calm down before I call security,” Iwaizumi said, firmly grabbing Kozume’s shoulders, effectively keeping the smaller man in place despite his futile attempts to wriggle into the dorm.
“Fine! I’ll just go back to Shoyo. He doesn’t cheat.” Kenma grit his teeth and stormed off. Exhaling and making sure to turn and lock the door, Iwaizumi sighed exasperatedly.
“Cheating is a dick move, Kuroo.” He rolled out from underneath the bed.
“I didn’t know hanging with another guy friend was cheating. Although I should have. Kenma’s always been a little...possessive.” Kuroo gulped. Iwaizumi shook his head, understanding.
“It won’t work if there’s no trust, dude. I’m five hundred miles away from my boyfriend and one reason we’re lasting as long as we are is because we are able to put our full trust in each other. If Kozume can’t do that, he’s not worth it,” Iwaizumi shrugged. “Besides, the dude’s batshit.” Kuroo laughed.
“That I agree with. Now to go hit up that freshman from my stupid ass forsenics class who skipped a year!”
“Okay, first of all, isn’t he a minor? Second of all, dude you just broke up-”
“First of all, Tsukishima-kun is NOT a minor. He's eighteen. I'm not a fucking pedophile. Second of all, unless you want me jacking off in here, I suggest you let me go,” Iwaizumi recoiled and waved one of his hands away from his face.
“Shoo, fly. Don’t bother me. Go hook up with somebody.”
...
“It’s two days before prelims, oh my god Iwa-chan we are going to,” there was a shuffling in the back “DESTROY your college.”
“I don’t doubt that for a single second,” Iwaizumi said, shaking his head at the thought of their ragtag team beating anyone ever. “You’re going to make it, Shittykawa.”
“Well, not if I don’t practice-”
“And not if you don’t go to bed at a normal time after stretching your knee and hydrating and showering,” Iwaizumi cut him off. “You’re not being yelled at by the janitor again.”
“Iwa-chan, you’re killing me!” He sighed dramatically before adding, “Also, don’t be too jealous seeing me on TV. I just hope they film on the right, that’s my good side-”
“Shittykawa, every side is your good side, so quit your whining.”
“Flattering, Iwa-chan, but I guess I can't do much about it. I’ll text you later, bye Iwa-chan! Love you!"
“Bye, love you,” He hung up the phone and looked over his song before rushing to class to do inevitably nothing but edit the song.
"And we’ll be making history...like it’s true? No, that doesn’t make sense. Like I do? This shit is hard."
...
“Iwaizumi-san! Did you finish your song?” Asked Lev as he excitedly flitted around the store. “Yaku-san told me about it.”
“Yeah,” Iwaizumi said, blinking at his hands. “I did.”
“See? I told you that you could do it if you got off your lazy ass-”
“Never again. One week was too little time.” Iwaizumi interrupted Yaku, looking down and shaking his head.
Yaku shrugged. “You’re driving up tonight? Are you using your roommates ‘baby?”
“It took a lot of convincing,” Iwaizumi smirked victoriously. “But he let me use it for the weekend.”
“That’s so cool!” Lev said. “I really wish I could write a song but I’m sure Yaku’s ears would bleed.”
“See? He can pick up on things!” Yaku said teasingly from the other side of the room, as if Lev were a simple robot.
Iwaizumi looked at his watch and almost crawled out of his skin with excitement. “I have to go now.”
“Quit beaming. People are going to think you’re on drugs.”
“It’s not my fault you never smile. Must be the herpes."
Lev poked his head up. "The what?"
"Oh, look at that," Iwaizumi looked at his watch and quickly got up. "Time to clock out!"
He sprinted out the door and away from his impending threat towards his bus. Satisfied with his work as he watched an angry Yaku and a confused Lev try to run behind the bus, he pulled out his phone and texted Kuroo.
Iwaizumi Hajime: I’m here so say goodbye to your lord and savior.
Kuroo Tetsurou: T-T I'll miss my baby.
Iwaizumi Hajime: IT’S TWO DAYS THAT YOU HAVE TO FUCK IN THE DORMS. YOUR ‘BABY’ NEEDS A BREAK.
Iwaizumi was on the road to Tokyo before he knew it, humming his song over and over. He had it basically ingrained in his brain after a week of focusing on almost nothing but the song. The drive was about five hours, and he planned to sleep in Kuroo’s ‘baby’ the first night (joy) because there was no way in hell he could afford a place to stay without sacrificing next week’s lunch money. He left his work early, at around 8:30, so he figured he would get to Tokyo at around one in the morning (also joy.) but he felt that it was worth it. What he didn’t expect was Oikawa to call at eleven forty-five at night. Iwaizumi almost threw his phone through the window, but quickly pulled over to answer his call.
“Shittykawa, aren’t you supposed to be asleep?! You have prelims-” He was cut off.
“Hajime, I don’t know if I can do it.” Iwaizumi blinked. Oikawa sounded like he was close to tears on the other line.
“Do you remember what I told you about teams of six-”
“Of fucking course I do. I know they can do it, but I’ve hardly practiced outside of training trying not to fuck up my stupid knee!”
“The whole reason you injured yourself in the first place is because you were overworking yourself! What is your definition of practicing properly?” Iwaizumi asked curtly.
“...I haven’t really thought about that. I guess I stay a couple of hours after practice-”
“That’s way more than enough. From what you’ve been telling me, your team is flourishing and believe me, so are you. I’ll see you...on TV tomorrow. I believe in you, and everyone is rooting for you tomorrow."
“...Okay.”
“Try to get some sleep. I love you.”
“Bye.” Iwaizumi felt the phone hang up from the other line and he sighed. Oikawa didn’t have much confidence in himself as a player, which made him tenacious of course, but it also resulted in overworking himself and getting way too nervous before a game. He was in a bad mood, so Iwaizumi just kept driving.
...
The next morning, Iwaizumi woke up and quickly changed in the car. He then proceeded to wait in line at security at the Tokyo Gym where Oikawa and his team would be competing.
“Uh, hi I have a ticket on my phone purchased already,” He said to the lady scanning.
She smiled. “Okay, let me scan it and you can head on in.”
Iwaizumi went inside the gym and was immediately hit by a wave of nostalgia. The volleyball nets were all set up, the gym floors clean, and the teams at the tournament were all peppering. This would be the final stage of the tournament, to see which teams would advance to the nationals. Iwaizumi sighed and walked up to the stands.
“Good morning players, coaches, managers, and onlookers! Today we have eight astounding collegiate volleyball teams, each and every one eager to make it to this year's national championships!” The commenter recited. Iwaizumi inspected the pamphlet and made his way to court B, where Oikawa would be playing.
Oikawa was in top form along with his team the entire game, and Iwaizumi never tired of watching him send his flawless sets to the hitters, which were obviously conditioned as well but-Iwaizumi really only cared about Oikawa. One outrageously shanked pass went up in the air to the complete other side of the court, and Iwaizumi winced, thinking it would just go over for a free. Oikawa, however, got under it at the last possible second, and their ace nailed it down just as quickly. Even Iwaizumi had to clap at the hitter.
The first game was over, and Oikawa’s team had dominated. Well, Iwaizumi thought. It’s not exactly Oikawa’s team. Although Oikawa was the clear leader and conductor of the court, he was only in his second year, and there was another captain. Still, Iwaizumi felt that just from seeing that one game, he could tell that Oikawa definitely had more of an influence on the team, since he was the one suggesting hand signals to the captain when he drew a blank.
The second game went almost as fast, except they went into a douce in the first set. Oikawa was clearly very calm the entire time, making only necessary movements to send the ball to whoever had the least blockers. (more often than not being the ace) Upon looking at the pamphlet, he figured out their ace was named Bokuto Kotaro, and he was in his second year as well. Iwaizumi thought he recognized the name, but decided not to dwell on it as he was pulled out of his thoughts.
“Do I know you?” Asked a man with curly black hair. His eyes seemed to be scanning his every feature, gleaming a dull blue. “I’m sorry, but I think I recognize you from somewhere.”
Iwaizumi turned to the man, and looked him up and down. He shrugged. “I have no idea, but you’re welcome to watch with me." He thought for a second, not wanting to give him the wrong idea. "I’m here for my boyfriend.”
“Oh, mine too,” He said calmly. “Bokuto Kotarou. My roommate also plays.” Iwaizumi nodded, now really sure he had met him somewhere. “Who’s your boyfriend?” The man asked, eyes trained on the ace.
“Oikawa Tooru. Who’s your roommate?” A light bulb went off in the man’s head.
“Oikawa Tooru! I remember now, I accidentally interrupted your skipe call last week.” He went red. “About that. Sorry-”
“No no it’s fine don’t worry!” Iwaizumi said quickly.
The man let out a long sigh before saying, “Akaashi Keiji.”
“Iwaizumi Hajime. Nice to meet you in person.” Akaashi nodded and they finished watching the game in peace.
At the final, Tooru’s entire expression had fully changed from loose and energetic, to a similar type of tension you feel in the calm before a storm.
“Wow.” Akaashi remarked. “Even though Oikawa-san isn’t the captain, the whole team dynamic practically changed with his mood. Even Bokuto-san, who’s usually very optimistic and boundless on court, has a game face on.” Iwaizumi nodded.
“Going to nationals has always been his number one goal in volleyball. He’s never done it.” He said, a bit tersely.
Akaashi’s eyes widened. “Really? Wow. He seems like he would dominate at nationals.”
“Well,” Iwaizumi said, thinking. “Have you played volleyball?” Akaashi nodded, smiling. “I played alongside Bokuto-san as the starting setter for Fukurodani Academy for three years.”
Iwaizumi nodded, recognizing the name. “That’s an awesome volleyball school, and for you to be the starting setter? Why did you stop?”
“Well,” Akaashi sighed. “It gets expensive, and writing, although it’s my passion, doesn’t pay very well.” Iwaizumi raised his hand.
“I understand. Fellow Japanese major. Anyways, Oikawa’s best at meshing with different people, it’s one of the things that makes him such a deadly threat, because obviously it’s the strongest six that win, not the strongest one. He can make a novice powerful. But he’s not a prodigy.”
Akaashi cringed. “Ouch.”
“Hold on, that’s not-the reason we never went is that in our prefecture, on different teams were Kageyama Tobio and Ushijima Wakatoshi.”
“Good lord. I trained with Kageyama in my second year of high school. He’s intense. And of course everyone’s heard of Ushiwaka.”
“Right. So Oikawa trained and trained until he got a knee injury, but he kept straining himself to keep up. He has some natural talent, of course, but the foundation of most of his skill is pure effort. He has a permanent loathing for people that aren’t humble and rely on their talent,” Iwaizumi explained.
“So he feels he needs to prove himself that talent isn’t needed to succeed,” Akaashi said, thoughtfully. “That’s one hell of a tenacious mindset.” Iwaizumi nodded, grinning.
They sat in silence for a while. “What about Bokuto? He seems like a diligent ace.”
“Bokuto-san’s physique gives him a whole ton of power,” Akaashi said simply. “And his attitude reflects almost entirely how he plays. When things are going well, he will land almost all of his kills in a game. The more mistakes he makes, the lower his enthusiasm gets obviously, but it seems to be amplified in him.” Akaashi laughed. “Fukurodani used to call it his ‘emo mode’ when he was in a mood. His technique is good too, and he steals points with brute strength. I’m sure a setter of Oikawa’s level has figured out when to set him or not.”
“I used to do the same thing, scoring with power,” Iwaizumi said, now looking closer at Bokuto. There was practically a storm cloud hanging over his head. “Dude looks pretty ready to break the floor.”
“Yup."
…
Oikawa’s team won the first set, barely scraping by with a score of 23-25. As they switched sides, Oikawa and the captain were discussing plays, the vice captain checking on the team. Akaashi snorted. “I wish the colleges would just cut the crap and make the person with the best leadership ability captain. “GO OIKAWA-SAN! GO BOKUTO-SAN!” He called out. Iwaizumi immediately ducked down so Oikawa didn’t see him.
“What? Did I do something wrong?” Akaashi asked.
“No, no I’m surprising Oikawa after they win. I wrote him a song since I’m-”
“An aspiring singer and songwriter?” Akaashi finished. “Oikawa-san never shuts his trap about that. I bet he’ll love the song.”
“Yeah. Thanks.” He said, watching as Oikawa flawlessly set the ball. “He doesn’t know I’m here. Hopefully they take the three sets.”
Akaashi shook his head. “This team did go to nationals last year. This is going to be at least a four set match.”
Akaashi was right. Oikawa’s team narrowly missed taking the second set, and the captain looked like he was getting increasingly frustrated.
“He can’t even keep his cool for two sets,” Iwaizumi observed. “I wonder what the coach will do.”
“I’d be surprised if the captain let Oikawa take the lead, even though it seems like the best option,” Akaashi replied, looking over the roster. “There are plenty of strong players here. The coach may or may not change his lineup to suit the captains playing style, which…” Akaashi faltered and fiddled with his fingers. “Is not the move.”
Oikawa’s team lost the third set, and this time, the whole team could practically smell the dizzying defeat that lay ahead. The captain called plays that were ill thought-out, and Iwaizumi could tell that Oikawa was making more setter dumps to compensate for lost points.
“This isn’t good.” Iwaizumi said. “The captain, who’s supposed to be the foundation, is crumbling. Someone has to do something or they’re going to lose.” Akaashi nodded in agreement, watching Bokuto closely. The coach approached the group, looking very stern.
“I think someone’s getting subbed out. I recognize that face on every coach,” Akaashi mused. Iwaizumi shivered, remembering Coach Irihata, and agreed.
What they did not expect was for the captain to sit out.
“Duh!” Akaashi said, smacking his forehead. “Why didn’t I think of that before? Of course they could sub out the captain.”
“That’s a huge risk! I never would have done that,” Iwaizumi said, arching an eyebrow. “The question is, who’s-”
“Captain?” The referee called out to the new lineup. Bokuto raised his hand, and Akaashi almost spit out the contents of his water bottle.
“Oh wow,” Iwaizumi said, Akaashi nodding quickly before swallowing his water. “That’s a bold move, especially when we’re losing like this.”
“Didn’t you say he was… a bit temperamental?” Iwaizumi said carefully. Akaashi smiled, understanding.
“He is, but when he finally gets into the groove, there’s really no one who can perfectly control his hits. So he’s a wild card.”
The team won that set, 17-25, and moved on to the fifth. The shine was back into the team's eyes as Bokuto eagerly discussed plays with Oikawa, and the vice captain gave feedback to the team.
“They really just took over the captain, huh.” Iwaizumi commented, noticing that the original leader had been sat out for the final set.
“That’s what happens when you play shitty volleyball,” Akaashi shrugged, grinning as Iwaizumi raised his eyebrows and laughed.
“I guess. A fifteen point game isn’t good for someone who gets like that.”
They watched as the other team scored three consecutive points with their pinch server.
“Aw crap, not a jump float at a time like this!” Iwaizumi groaned. “Check the pamphlet, what’s #11’s name?”
Akaashi flipped through the pamphlet. “Kinoshita Hisashi. First year. I think he went to Karasuno High School.”
Iwaizumi narrowed his eyes and nodded. “That would explain the jump float.”
Bokuto stopped the serve and immediately Oikawa sent it back for a quick attack. Bokuto nearly hit it out of bounds, but they got the point nonetheless and they violently high-fived.
The last few points went in a blur of Oikawa’s service aces, Bokuto’s kills, the rest of the team's effort, and of course the screaming crowd once the final point was fumbled on the other side.
The whistle blew, and the whole team erupted into cheers as Oikawa nearly lost his balance. Bokuto grinned and high fived everyone, and had to make sure Oikawa was okay, because he just stood there. No smiles, no peace signs, no laughter. His face was shocked, and the clear taste of victory was overwhelming him.
“Oikawa! Are you good-”
“We’re going to nationals.”
“I know that! Isn’t it great?!”
"Oh my god."
“Bokuto Koutaro! Oikawa Tooru! We’re from the press and we would like to talk to you,” A lady said, running onto the court with a group of camera men. Oikawa’s original euphoria faded as a face-splitting toothpaste white smile appeared on his face.
“The press? Of course!”
“Is this your first time going to nationals?”
“For Bokuto no, but yes, this would be my first time qualifying for nationals!”
“Really? I would have thought a setter like you would have been at least once.”
“Well, I had to work super hard to get where I am today, and it’s not easy, but hard work is how the best athletes come to be! Talent is something to hone and unfortunately I’m not a natural at volleyball,” Oikawa said, laughing.
“Anyone here today to cheer you on?” The reporter asked, clearly loving the energy that Oikawa was giving to the listeners. “Well, no, but my partner in crime is watching so yoo-hoo Iwa-chan!” Oikawa said, grinning as he remembered that his boyfriend was probably cackling at Oikawa giving sugary smile-coated answers to reporters. The reporter was about to ask another thing when Oikawa heard a voice behind him.
“Hey there, idiot.”
Oikawa turned around and almost fell over for a second time before he turned back to the press and flashed a peace sign, giving a weak “Thanks for your time” before sprinting towards Iwaizumi.
“Hajime, you dick! Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?! Oh man I missed you so much, and guess what I’m going to NATIONALS and-”
“Oh my god, shut up and fucking kiss me you dork,” Iwaizumi rolled his eyes before going in to kiss him.
“Okay Okay Okay Okay~so then~” Oikawa slurred, having an in depth conversation with Akaashi’s water bottle. “He came up to me and was like,” Oikawa lowered his voice. “Are you single?’ And I was like ‘No dude my boyfriend fucks shit up-’ oh by the way he called me at work once and it was so cute~”
Akaashi and Iwaizumi were both videotaping this from across the room, and Bokuto was staring at Oikawa, extremely confused, beer in hand. “Does he do this every time he drinks too much?” He asked, trying not to laugh.
“Tooru’s alcohol tolerance is shit so basically yeah,” Iwaizumi said, covering his mouth as Oikawa prattled on about his and Iwaizumi’s relationship.
“Ohmygod long distance actually sucks when Kei-chan isn’t home. Sometimes I just sit and set my volleyball and stew in my own loneliness and cry while listening to Daddy Issues, even though my father is very supportive. But don't you gatekeep!” Oikawa snapped before knocking over the (thankfully closed) water bottle.
“Jesus, what a dickwad. Oh and once Hajime got mad at me because I forgot to sleep and he was like “ToOrU, yOu HaVe VoLLeYbaLL” and all I do is play volleyball! Oh did I tell you I’m going to Nationals?” He exclaimed excitedly to thin air.
“Okay Tooru, I think that’s enough,” Iwaizumi said as soon as Oikawa attempted to pick up and apologize to the water bottle. “You need to drink a glass of water.”
“Oh hey,” He said, blinking. “You kind of actually look like him."
“Water,” He repeated sternly.
Oikawa rolled his eyes. "Fine."
“Great. Thank you,” He said, suppressing a smile when Akaashi doubled over, camera still in hand. Oikawa downed the glass of water and sat down on Akaashi’s bed.
“You guys need to,” Oikawa made a shooing motion at Akaashi and Bokuto. “Leave. I could probably spike the tension in the air with a goddamn volleyball.” Akaashi and Bokuto looked at Iwaizumi, who shrugged.
“You guys can go or I can take Tooru somewhere-”
“No man, he’s not exactly portable,” Akaashi smirked. “Bye bye you two!”
As soon as the door shut behind them, Iwaizumi began to tuck Oikawa into Akaashi’s bed. “This isn’t my bed, Iwa-chan.” Iwaizumi blinked dumbly.
“Oh.” He picked him up and began tucking him into the other bed. As soon as Oikawa’s head hit the pillow, he was out cold. Iwaizumi shrugged. That’s what happens when you spend a whole day playing volleyball and then insist on drinking. I’ll sing his song tomorrow.
A thump hitting the floor along with the blaring of two One Direction alarms signaled Oikawa’s awakening the next morning, and Iwaizumi turned around in his sleeping bag to come face to face with Oikawa, looking extremely hungover.
“Morning, sunshine” Iwaizumi said, smirking.
Oikawa groaned. “I can’t believe you actually kept that fucking alarm.”
“Of course I did,” Iwaizumi said, lightly shoving him. “You set it.”
Oikawa brightened. “That’s adorable. But can we get off the floor?” Iwaizumi nodded his head and sat on Oikawa’s bed.
“When do you have to go back?” Oikawa asked, clinging on to Iwaizumi’s arm like a sad child.
Iwaizumi sighed. “Tonight.”
“Iwa-chan! You should have told me not to drink! I don’t remember a thing!”
Iwaizumi shrugged. “I got a damn good video of you stumbling around, so it was worth it.”
“Oh god what happened?”
“You got angry at Akaashi’s hydro flask and proceeded to fall asleep in like .5 seconds.”
“Not too bad!”
“Not as bad as when you started eating the drapes like a goat. The bar is on the floor for you, Shittykawa.”
Oikawa’s eyes flitted Iwaizumi’s guitar. “Are you making any progress with your songs, Iwa-chan?” Iwaizumi gulped. He had forgotten all about the song that morning.
“Actually yeah. Um I wrote one last week just for you because, you know, as a prize for winning prelims.” Iwaizumi said, putting an awkward hand behind his back.
“Aw, don’t be nervous, Iwa-chan! I guarantee I love it so much already!”
“I’m not-okay then-” He gave an experimental strum to his guitar. Oikawa was already grinning. Hajime sighed, grinning. “I haven’t even started playing.”
“And I already love it.” Iwaizumi rolled his eyes playfully before starting to play the opening chords to the song.
“Hey there, Oikawa what’s it like in Tokyo City? I’m 500 miles away but hey tonight you look so pretty, yes you do. The skytree can’t shine as bright as you, I swear it’s true.
Hey there Oikawa don’t you worry about the distance I’m right there when you get lonely give this song another listen close your eyes… listen to my voice it’s my disguise, I’m by your side. Oh it’s what you do to me~ Oh it’s what you do to me.
Hey there Oikawa I know times are getting hard but just believe me babe someday I’ll pay our bills with this guitar we'll have it good. We’ll have the life I knew we would, my word is good.
Oh it’s what you do to me~ Oh it’s what you do to me. 500 miles seems pretty far, but they’ve got planes and trains and cars and I’d walk to you if I had no other way. Our friends would all make fun of us and we’ll just laugh along because we know that none of them have felt this way~ Oikawa I can promise you that by the time that we get through the world will never ever be the same, and you’re to blame~
Hey there Oikawa you be good and don’t you miss me two more years and we’ll be done with school and we’ll be making history like we do. You know it’s all because of you. We can do whatever we want to. Hey there Oikawa here’s to you, this one’s for you.
Oh it’s what you do to me~ Oh it’s what you do to me, it’s what you do to me.”
Iwaizumi finished off with another strum of his guitar and looked up. Oikawa was wearing the biggest, most genuine smile he had ever seen. “That was really sweet Hajime! My new favorite song!”
“Really?!”
“No.”
“...”
“Of course it was, Iwa-chan!”
“Shittykawa-”
“You have to go to a studio and y’know!” Oikawa gesticulated. “I don’t know jack shit about producers or whatever, but that song is seriously like my new favorite thing besides you.”
Iwaizumi’s face went blank. “Yeah I guess that is what I was planning on doing, but if I release it now there’s no way I'd be able to balance more songs and school, and in the small chance it does blow up, I would be a one-hit wonder.” Oikawa grimaced. “That's not good for a career.”
“So maybe we should wait until we are done with school,” Iwaizumi said quietly, zipping up his guitar.
“Hold on, let me record you! I want to make that my ringtone and shit.”
“Hey.”
“Hey.”
“Love you.”
“Love you three.”
“What.”
Two Years Later
“You can’t be serious right now,” Iwaizumi said, sitting across the table from his manager. He had just graduated, and was looking to finally send “Hey There, Oikawa” along with other songs in his expanding portfolio Into the world.
“You told me you didn’t want your… ahem, personal preferences to define your career, right?”
“Well yes, but it's a surname. Oikawa is gender-neutral."
“I strongly recommend changing the name in your song. Not only will more people listen and relate if it’s a girls name, you’ll make more money, and have a bigger platform in the long run. Not all songs have to be explicitly about your life, Iwaizumi-kun.” Iwaizumi pressed his lips together, and his manager nodded.
“I understand. I’ll leave you to think about it.” With that his manager left, and Iwaizumi called Oikawa.
“How did it go?!”
Iwaizumi grit his teeth. “He wants me to change your name to a girls name so it can profit more and expand my fanbase.” There was quiet on the other line.
“Oikawa is my last name?"
"That's exactly what I said."
Oikawa sighed on the other line. "Do it."
“What? Really? That song was supposed to be...you know, yours.” Quiet again.
“Hajime, your career matters a ton more than my pride. We live in a homophobic country. It’s not ideal, but I want you to be successful.” Iwaizumi took a frustrated breath.
“Okay, I guess. If that's really what you want then I’ll do it. See you later.” Iwaizumi hung up just as the manager walked back in.
“Have you decided?”
“Yeah. I’ll change the name. But if this song blows up and my coming out is all over the news, you can’t be surprised because I will not be a closeted performer.”
The manager put his hands up in defense. “All for it. I’m not trying to be the bad guy here.”
The two shook hands, and Iwaizumi left the building to prepare for recording his debut song, “Hey There Delila.”